Teiotis backet



March 20, 1928.

' E. J. CRAVEN TENNIS RACKET Filed June 25 1927 INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Mar. 26, 1928.

means-e arnr nest es.

EDWARD J. CRAVEN, OF S?RZIL TGFIELI), MASSACHUSETTS.

TENNIS RAGKET.

Application filed June 25, 1927. Serial No. 201,331.

My invention relates to improvements in rackets, such as those used in playing tennis, and consists essentially of a frame and handle of approved shape, size and construction, a net comprising longitudinal and transverse reaches of strings of peculiar arrangement, a tightener for the strings that makes up the longitudinal reaches of said net, said tightener being provided with a SCIGpdLlllQitClQCl member, and a cap for the outer end of said handle, said, cap being provided with a screw-threaded member to engage said first-named screw-threaded member, together with such other parts and members as may be necessary or desirable in order to render the racket complete and serviceable in every respect, all as hereinafter set forth.

The primary object of my invention is to provide means, in a racket, for tightening and loosening the strings thereof, whereby breaking said strings can be avoided, and they can have imparted thereto as will just the right amount of tension, more or less r required, which means is comparatively simple, both in construction and operation, yet strong and durable, not liable to get out of order, convenient, and withal highly ethcient and entirely practical.

The strings of rackets of ordinary construction are very liable to break, or to twist or distort the frame of the racket, on the one hand, and to become loose, on the other hand, when subjected to weather changes,

' with the result that much expense and time are involved in replacing broken strings, or the frame is permanently impaired, or the efficiency of the racket is reduced to a point where said racket is almost or quite useless, any and all of which troubles are avoided in or by my construction.

, Another objectis to afford means for applying orimparting directly to the longitudinal-reach strings, and indirectly to the transverse-reach string or strings, the even and uniform pul so necessary if the racket isto function to the best advantage and give the most pleasing and satisfactory results.

A further object is to produce a racket having means for tightening and loosening the strings without thereby interfering with the proper balance of the racket, as would be the case if the additional parts and members greatly increased the Weight of the racket, or were so placed as to throw it out of balance.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description.

I attain the objects and secure the advantages of my invention by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a racket which embodies a practical form of my invention, a portion of one of the throat plates being broken out; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section through said racket, taken on lines 2 2 in Fig. 1, and, Fig. 3, a longitudinal section through the racket, taken on lines 33 in Fig. 2.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views.

The racket comprises a resilient frame 1 having a net space t therein, a handle 5, there being an opening or threat 6 formed at or adjacent to the junction between said frame and said handle, a net comprising transverse reaches 7 and longitudinal reaches 8, a tightener 9 in said throat, said tightener having an eye 10 therein adjacent to the end thereof that is next to a bridge-piece 11 which assists in forming the throat and is between the same and said space, said secondna1ned strings all passing through said eye, an externally screw-threaded stem or spindle 12 to the inner terminal of which said tightener is securely attached, a cap 13 at the outer end of said handle, and a hollow, internally screw-threaded spindle 1 rsecurely attached at the outer terminal to said cap, and adapted to receive and engage the screw-threaded portion of said firstnamed spindle. The throat 6 opens through opposite sides of the frame 1, and cover plates 15-l5 are provided to close these open sides of said throat.

There is a central bore through or passage invthe handle as represented at .16, lo receive the spindles 12 and 14, said passage opening at one end into the throat 6 and at the other end through the outer end of said handle. The hollow spindle 14L may be secured to the cap 13 by means of a transverse pin 17. The spindle 1% has a fairly tight fit in the passage 16, and the abutting faces of the handle 5 and the cap 13 are fiat and of some area, whereby in addition to the engagement between the screw.

threaded parts of sai d spindle and the spiir die 12, provision made for sufficient frictional. resistance to hold said cap and its spindle against rotation, without the application of some little force to said cap. It is by the rotation of the capi'l thatthe strin s of the net are tightened and loosened.

lVhe-n the cap 13 is rotated inv one direction, the spindle 11 is carried with it and actuates the spindle 12with the tightener 9 outwardly, through the medium of the screwthrea ded connection between said spindles, and, when said cap is rotated in the opposite direction, it carries with it the attached spindle and thereby causes the other spindle with said tightencr to be actuated inwardly.

@The transverse reache 7 are'parts of a single (preferably) st 1a, of gut or other suitable material, passed back and forth throughtransverse openin in the sides of the frame 1, theends of and string being knotted, as reoresented at 1919, to secure them to said frame. The knots 19 are at the outer ends of two of the transverse passages in the sides of the frame through which the outermost reaches 7 pass. Ol viously, if the frame 1 be expanded laterally the string 18 is tightened, and the reaches 7 rendered taut.

The longitudinal reaches 8 are parts of four (more or less) strings 20, 21, and 23, also of gut or other suitable material, interlaced with the string 18, and passed through and connected with the frame 1 and the tightener 9 in the manner described hereinafter. Passages parallel with the longitudinal center of the frame 1 are provided in the upper part of said frame for the strings 20, 21, 22, and 23, and passa es that may he slightly divergent on opposite sides of said center are provided in the lower part of said frame for said strings, and it is in these lower passages that the terminals of the strings are received and knotted to secure them in place. Passages are also provided in the bridge-piece 11 for the aforesaid strings, each of which passages in line with one of the passages in the upper part of the frame 1. The inner ends of the passages in the lower part of the frame 1 for the outermost reachesS of the string are also in line with the outermost passages in the upper part of said frame for said string.

The peripheralportion of the frame may have grooves therein, between the passages therethrough for the strings, to receive therein the parts of said strings that are'woven in and outof said frame, and the outer edges of said passages, wherever necessmrware enlarged to accommodate the knots 19 and other knots-yet to be specified.

The reaches 7 are approximately parallel with .eachotherand at right angles to the reaches 8, and the latter are parallel with each other and with thelongit-udinal' center of the frame ess-ps9 The string 20 makes up the six inner reaches 8, and the ends of said string are knotted at 2020 to secure them to the frame 1.. The string 21 makes up the. four reaches 8 outside of the inner group just mentioned, twoon each side'of said group, and the ends of said string are knotted at 21-21 to secure them to the frame. makes up thenext four outer reaches 8, two 011 a side, and the ends of said string are knotted at 22 22' to secure them to the frame. The string 23 makes up the two outermost reaches 8 on each side of the racket, and has the ends knotted at 2323 to secure them in place in the frame.

Thestring '20, startingat the knots 20', passes through the lower part of the frame 1, on opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof, into and through the threat 6, through the bridge piece 11 into and through the space -l-, and through the upper part of said frame; then inwardly ontop of and through said frame again, through said space and said bridge-piece into said throat once more, and convergently to and through the eye 10 in the tightener 9; and lastly, from opposite ends of said tightener, through said throat, bridge-piece, space, and top of the frame, when the string again extends outside of the frame, between the outer ends of the two innermost vertical passages therein. A central'group of six reaches 8 is thus produced, the string 20 being looped three times 'hrough the top of the frame, in the center and at two off-center points, and looped four times through the tightener 9. A pull exerted on the looped portions of the'string 20 in the eye 10, draws said string, which is secured t the frame 1 by the knots 20, tight througl'iout its entire length, and tends to compress said framelongitudinally and expand the same transversely. This is possible because the string can'run freely through the eye 10 and the passages in the frame and bridge-piece therefor. The same applies generally to the other strings.

The two innermost reaches 8 pass on through theeye 10, whereint he string 20 crosses to produce the next two reaches 8. Outside of these four reaches are two others formed by the string 20.

The string 21, startil'ig at the knots 21 passes through the lower part oft-he frame 1, on oppositesides of the longitudinal center thereof, into and through the throat 6, through the bridge-piece 11 into and through the space 41-, and through the upper part of said frame then upwardly and inwardly on top of and through said frame again, through said space and said bridge-piece, into said throat once more, and convergent-1y intoand'thro'ugh theeye 1 0 inthe tighte er 9. Thus two reaches 8 are formed each side of the aforesaid central group.

The string- 22, starting at the knots 2 The string 22 passes through the lower part of the frame 1, on opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof, into and through the throat 6, through the bridge-piece 11 into and through the space 4, and through the upper part of said frame; then upwardly and inwardly on top of and through said frame again, through said space and said bridge-piece into said throat once more, and convergently to and through the tightener eye 10. Two reaches 8 are thus formed on each side of those formed by the strings 20 and 21.

The string 23, starting at the knots 23 passes through the lower part of the frame 1, on opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof, into and through the throat 6, through the bridge-piece 11 into and through the space 4, and through the upper part of said frame; then upwardly and inwardly on the outside of and through said frame again, through said space and said bridge-piece into said throat once more, and convergently into and through the tightener eye 10. The two outermost reaches 8 and two reaches 8 inside of the former are thus formed.

A pull exerted by the tightener 9 on the loop of any of the strings 21, 22, or 23, tightens said string throughout its entire length, and tends to compress the frame 1 in the direction of its length, thereby producing an action or result generally similar to that or those produced when the tightener is moved to exert a pull on the loops of the string 20 which pass through said tightener.

The lengths of the strings which make up the reaches 8 should, of course, be so proportion'ed as to impart substantially the same amount of tension to one string as is imparted to the other, when the strings are subjected to the drawing action of the tightener 9.

The outer portions of the string 23 pass through the frame 1 without passing through the bridge-piece 11, but the inner portions of said string pass through the outermost openings in said bridge-piece.

It is now seen that all of the strings 20, 21, 22, and 23, are looped through the eye 10 in the tightener 9, with an equal number of 7 reaches 8 on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the frame 1, and that these looped portions are in the throat 6. Other port-ions of these strings are looped through the upper part of the frame 1. It follows, therefore, that n'ioyement of the tightener 9 in the direction to draw on the portions of the strings that pass through the eye 10 put said strings under a tension which is equally distributed and uniform throughout their entire lengths When the strings 20, 21, 22, and 23 are tightened, the frame 1, being of more or less yielding or resilient material, is shortened longitudinally and expanded laterally, and this lateral expansion of said frame exerts as represented at 2 124-, to afford ample space for the oblique portions of the strings 22 and 23 which are in said throat, and to prevent the tightener from cutting or injuring any of the strings, in the event said tightener be drawn outwardly far enough otherwise to catch them between the upper part of the tightener and the inner end of the passage 16.

When this racliet is to be laid away, the strings are loosened to a suiiicient length to prevent them from breaking in the event they are acted on by weather conditions that would tend to break them. Then, when about to use this racket, the strings are tightened to whatever extent may be deemed necessary, and during the use of the racket the tension of the strings is changed if and as occasion requires. Thus it is possible to maintain the net in the best possible condition for batting purposes.

Inasmuch as the strings 20, 21, 22, and 23, during the tightening operation, have a tendency to draw the reaches 7 out of straight-line courses, small, longitudinal, tie cords 25 are interwoven with said reaches and attached at opposite ends to the top of the frame 1 and the bridge-piece 11, said cords being on opposite sides of the two innermost reaches 8. These tie cords thus connect the intermediate portions of the reaches 8, and prevent them from following any of the strings 20, 21, 22, and 23 when acted on by the tightener 9 during the tightening operation. Usually two cords 25 are sutiicient, although more might be employed.

Since the tightening elements are located in the throat and handle of the racket, the proper balan'e of the racket is maintained. Furthermore, these tightening elements are so light in weight as not materially to increase the weight of the racket.

The cover plates 15 may be removable in order to a ford ready access to the interior of the throat 6. I

The strings which pass through the eye 10 prevent the tightener f) and the spindle 12 from rotating, when the spindle 14 is rotated to tighten or loosen said strings.

In order to keep down the weight, the tightener 9 may be made of aluminum, and screwed or otherwise attached to the spindle 12, which latter is unually made of steel.

As hereinbefore intimated, more or less change in the shape, size, construction, and arrangement of some or all ofthe parts of this racket may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or exceeding the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, in a racket, with a frame and a handle, and a string having its ends fastenedto said frame, 'and forming transverse reaches in the space in said frame, of a plurality of strings interwoven with said reaches and forming longitudinal reaches all approximately atright 'angles to said firstnai'nedreachesya tightener having an eye therein, said last-named strings being looped through said frame andthrough said eye, and having their-ends fastened to said frame, and all of said strings being individual relatively, and actuating means for said tightener.

2. The combination, in a racket, with a frame having a handle, and a string forming transverse reaches in thespace in said frame, of a plurality of strings interwoven with said reaches and forminglongitudinalreaches, a tightener having an eye therein, said lastnamed strings being looped through said fran e and through said eye, and having their ends fastened to said frame, a cap for the outer end of said handle, and screw-threaded engaging spindles rigidly connected respectively with said tightener andsa-id cap.

The combination, in a racket, with a frame and a handle,'said frame having a throattherein and being provided with a bridge-piece, means coveringthe open sides of said throat and adapted to afford access to the interior of the throat, and a string having its ends attached to said frame, and fo 'ming reaches in the space in said frame, of a perforated tightener in said throat, a plurality of longitudinal-reach-forming strings having their ends attached to said frame, and being looped through said frame, and'through the perforation in said tightener after passing through. said bi'idgepiece and being interwoven with said transverse reaches, and. actuating means for said tightener.

4t. The combination, in a racket, with a frame and a handle, said frame having a throat therein and being provided with a bridge-piece, and a string forming transversereaches in the space in said frame, of a perforated tightener in said throat, a plurality of longitudinal-reach-forming strings having their-ends attached to said frame, and being looped through said frame, and through the perforation in said tightener after passing through said bridge-piece, and interwoven with said transverse reaches, a. cap for the outer end of said handle, and screw-threaded engaging spindles rigidly connected respectively with and said cap.

5. In a racket,a'fra1nea11d ahandle, a perforated tightener, astring having its ends fastened to said frame, and "being looped'three times throughthe frame and twice through the perforation in said tightener, and means to move said' tightenerendwise.

6. In a racket, aframeprovi'ded with'a bridge-piece, a handle, a perforated tightener, a string having its ends attached tothe bottom part of said frame, and being looped three times through the upper-part of "said frame, passed through s'aidbridge-piecaand looped twice through the perforation in said tightener, and means to move said, tightener lengthwise.

7. In a'racket, a frame and a'handle, a perforated tighteneiy'a string having its ends attached to said frame and being looped three times through said frame and twice through the perforation in said tightener, whereby an intermediate group of six longitudinal reaches is formed-in the space in said'frame, and additional strings each having its endsattachedft'o said frame and being looped twice through said frame and said tightener once through said perforation, wherebytwo' longitudinal reaches are formed by each string insaid space on each side of said group, and means to move said tightener lengthwise. V

8. The combination, in a racket, with a frame-and a handle, a throat beingformed in said frame, a bridge-piece separating said throat from the large space within "said frame, and a string having its endsattached to saidframeandbeing'looped through the same to form transverse reaches in said space, of a perforated tightener in said throat, astring having its ends attached to said'frame and being looped three times through the frame, and after passing through. said bridge-piece being'looped twice through the perforation in said tightener, whereby an intermediate group of six longitudinal reaches is formed,. additional strings each having its ends attached to said frame and being loopedtwice through said frame, and once through said perforation after passing through said bridge-piece, whereby two longitudinal reaches are formed by each of saidlast-named strings on each side of said group, thelongitudinal reaches being interwoven with the transverse reaches, and means to actuate saidtightener longitudinally.

9. The combination, in a racket, with a frame and a handle, a threat being formed in said frame, a bridge-piece separating said throat from the large space within said frame, and a string having itsends attached to said frame and being looped through the said perforation after passing through said bridge-piece, whereby two longitudinal reaches are formed by each of said lastnamed strings on each side of said group, the longitudinal reaches being interwoven with the transverse reaches, a cap for said handle, and screw-threaded engaging spin-' dles rigidly attached respectively to said tightener and said cap.

10. The combination, in a racket, with a frame provided with a bridge-piece and a handle, a string forming transverse reaches in the space in said frame, and a tie cord interlaced with said reaches intermediate of their ends, and having its ends attached respectively to the upper part of said frame and to said bridge-piece, of a perforated tightener, a plurality of longitudinal-reachforming strings having their ends attached to said frame, and being looped through said frame and the perforation in said tightener, and interwoven with said transverse reaches and actuating means for said tightener.

EDWARD J. CRAVEN. 

